genial task of disarming them of two uncommonly murderous knives. Funny thing is, that when I went in as an interpreting peacemaker, I saw no sign of Ziegler, who, I gathered at the hotel bureau, is an invalid and never goes out. The two men in the room were able-bodied fellows, fashionably dressed, but with that in their faces which there is no mistaking. The ‘crime-look’ is an open sign to those who know.”
The General paused and looked at his nephew curiously. “Then I made a false move,” he went on—‘‘a false move which may have wiped the seventh Duke of Beaumanoir out of the peerage. I told Mrs. Talmage Eglinton that the Duke was going down to Prior’s Tarrant by the 8.45. Yes, you may well stare, but I had an object. I also told her that you were going down with him, believing that that would secure you both a peaceful journey; for, vulgarly speaking, the woman is glaringly sweet upon you, laddie. I ought to have given such a combination as she works with credit for the cunning which drew you from your post.”
Forsyth flushed with annoyance. It was not pleasant to hear that his friend’s life might
[154]
